Rewari is a city in the Indian state of Haryana that has its historical roots in the Vedic period. A relatively lesser know city in India, the culture of Rewari has a lineage of over 3000 years. However, this city is currently trending on Google Search in India(last 24 hours Google Trends data suggests) for all the wrong reasons. Whatever might be the reason, we can take this opportunity to educate ourselves a little about the rich culture of Rewari.
Why is Rewari City in India trending on Google Search?
The much-awaited Bundelkhand Expressway connecting Chithrakoot and Lucknow-Agra in Uttar Pradesh was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi at Jalaun on 16th July 2022. Lifted by the buoyancy of successful completion of the project in 28 months- a feat that is lauded as the epitome of ‘double engine government’, a reference to the advantage of the central government in working with state governments formed by the same party- PM Modi delivered a striking dig at opposition parties for resorting to ‘Rewari Culture’ to secure political survival.
PM Narendra Modi on ‘Rewari Culture’ / ‘Revdi Culture’
The Hindi word Rewari/ Revdi translates to ‘a particular kind of sweetmeat made of sugar’. Speaking at the inauguration of Bundelkandh Expressway, PM Modi used the term Rewari/Revdi Culture alleging that efforts are in progress by political opposition for collecting votes by distributing sweets(money). He insinuated the practice of buying votes by referring to it as Revdi Culture which has become a key bottleneck to bringing true development to the country.
We know that when Mr. Modi speaks, the country listens. Maybe not the entire country, but a fair section of the population in good enough numbers to make the word Rewari go trending on Google Search.
As the searches for Rewari begin, Google Algorithm starts to suggest the related keyword Rewari- the city in India. 24 hours later, we have thousands fluttering to the Wikipedia page for Rewari- a city in Haryana. To add to the confusion, this city is more than 3000 years old and has a long cultural lineage compounded as the ‘Culture of Rewari’. The reasons might be wrong but the content creators/ websites can definitely use some traffic to their well-written pages on the Culture of Rewari.
Brief Overview of the ‘Culture of Rewari’
Featured from the recent history of this Vedic city is India’s only Railway Steam Locomotive shed that was built in 1893 for Indian Railways. Rewari Railway heritage dates back to 1855 with the oldest locomotive shed The Fairy Queen function even to this date since then. For all the Train/ Locomotive enthusiasts Rewari city’s Railway Museum should be on your list of places to visit in India.
Heritage of The Ahirs of Rewari
Ahirwati is the common language used the region of Rewari and the neighbouring regions like Gurgoan. Ahirwati being a dialect used by the Ahirs or Aheers who are believed to be the founders of the Vedic regions of Rewari. Ahirs are the pastoral communities from vedic period who formed closely knit society in and around the Rewari. In modern socio-political context, Ahirs started identifying themselves as ‘Yadavs’ with lineage to the mythical figure ‘Balaram’
Close proximity to modern day Delhi NCR and historical Indraprastha has made the Rewar an important city in regional politics. Rewar and its rulers had played a crucial role in the Mughal war. Roa Tula Ram is a prominant historical figure from the mughal era, there is a Govert of India issued 2011 stamp on him recognising his contribution to the socio-political paradigm of the region.
Arts and Crafts of the Rewari region include the worldclass brass products and meticulously designed footwear. Amidst the busy streets of the Rewari city and remnants of the past in the form of the Mughal war memorials one can yet find the calmness and peace to indulge in the local delicacies. Ironically, the Culture of the Rewari city has a rich ‘the Rewari culture’. The place produces some of finest of sweets/sweetmeats in the North India.
Guess we have come full circle on this one!